Pamplona Hotels

Iruña

Known by the Basques as Iruña, Pamplona began as a secure fortress town that defended this part of Spain from invaders. With its huge citadel, appealing parks and beguiling churches, Pamplona offers much. The Plaza del Castillo (Castle Square), which is the centre of the historic Old Town, is where you'll find chic cafés and a melange of buildings whose architectural styles straddle centuries. And from here, the twisting lanes make for interesting diversions along which could well find an interesting bar or a quirky old shop.

Walls and walks

The Old Town is encircled by walls and ramparts which provide a wonderful way to get around Pamplona and take in the sights, and enjoy the nearby gardens and parks. There are patches of green all over the city. From the wide paths and sculptures of Taconera Park, to Yamaguchi Park with its Japanese garden, there's plenty of places in which to sit and relax or take a stroll.

Citadel and cathedral

A very visible indication of Pamplona's strategic past is La Ciudadela (The Citadel) which is a well-preserved fortress around which you can walk and enjoy great views of the city and the mountains in the distance. The Neoclassical façade of Pamplona Cathedral disguises a magnificent Gothic church wherein you'll find a stunning 13th-century cloister constructed with gorgeous stonework.

Restaurants and cafés

Pamplona has its fair share of cafés, restaurants and bars where you can stop for a quick drink or stay longer for a meal and enjoy a refreshing glass of wine or two. The cuisine is varied but with a heavy emphasis on Basque dishes. You'll find all sorts of places to eat, from bakeries to a Michelin-starred restaurant serving Spanish, Italian, fusion and vegetarian. And there's nothing better than a delicious ice cream made in one of the city's parlours.

Shopping in and around Pamplona

There are three municipal markets in the city. Santo Domingo Market, Ensanche Market, Ermitagaña Market have, between them, over 100 stalls selling high-quality fruit, vegetable and meat among other things. The historic quarter contains a number of independent shops but you'll find most stores on the Mayor, Estafeta, Comedias and Zapateria streets. Most things that you'll need are obtainable in a city which has about 500 shops in total.